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Contract Rfic Design Engineer Jobs in Santa Clara, CA

Qualcomm

RF/Analog IC Design Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

Engineering Group, Engineering Group > RFIC Design General Summary: Define, design and develop complex radio frequency integrated circuits in complex SoC's and discrete RFIC's. Perform radio signal ...

Qualcomm

EM Design Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$139K - $209K/yr

Engineering Group, Engineering Group > RFIC Design General Summary: Qualcomm is a company of inventors that unlocked 5G ushering in an age of rapid acceleration in connectivity and new possibilities ...

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All JobsContract Rfic Design Engineer JobsContract Rfic Design Engineer Jobs in Santa Clara, CA

Contract Rfic Design Engineer information

What is a contract RFIC design engineer?

Contract RFIC (Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit) Design Engineers are specialists who design and develop integrated circuits that operate at radio frequencies, typically for wireless communication devices. Working on a contract basis, they may be hired by companies to complete specific projects or to provide expertise on a temporary basis. Their responsibilities include circuit design, simulation, layout, testing, and optimization of RFICs to meet performance, cost, and timeline requirements. Contract RFIC Design Engineers often collaborate with teams of hardware and software engineers to ensure seamless integration of RFICs within larger systems. They are also expected to stay updated on the latest technologies and design tools in the RF and semiconductor industries.

What are some common challenges faced by contract RFIC design engineers when working with multiple clients or projects simultaneously?

Contract RFIC Design Engineers often juggle multiple projects and clients, which can lead to challenges in balancing differing technical requirements, project timelines, and communication styles. Coordinating with various teams, adapting to distinct design flows, and managing version control across projects demand strong organizational and interpersonal skills. Successfully navigating these challenges helps ensure timely delivery of high-quality RFIC designs, while also building a reputation for reliability and adaptability in the industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract RFIC design engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract RFIC Design Engineer, you need expertise in RF/microwave circuit design, semiconductor physics, and familiarity with industry standards, typically supported by a degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Mastery of EDA tools like Cadence, ADS, and experience with simulation and layout software are critical, along with knowledge of relevant test equipment. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication set top engineers apart in collaborative and deadline-driven environments. These skills ensure the delivery of high-performance, reliable RFIC solutions that meet project specifications and industry demands.

What is the difference between Contract Rfic Design Engineer vs RFIC Design Engineer?

AspectContract RFIC Design EngineerRFIC Design Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, specialized in RFIC designSame as Contract RFIC Design Engineer
Work EnvironmentProject-based, often freelance or temporary roles in various companiesFull-time employment within a company or research lab
Industry UsageCommon in consulting, contract work, or short-term projectsStandard role in semiconductor and telecommunications industries

Both roles require similar technical skills and educational background, but Contract RFIC Design Engineers typically work on short-term projects and are hired on a contractual basis, whereas RFIC Design Engineers are usually full-time employees with ongoing responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Rfic Design Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA?

The most popular types of Rfic Design Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA are:

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For Contract Rfic Design Engineer jobs in Santa Clara, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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What cities near Santa Clara, CA are hiring for Contract Rfic Design Engineer jobs?

Cities near Santa Clara, CA with the most Contract Rfic Design Engineer job openings:

Contract Rfic Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Rfic Design Engineer job openings in Santa Clara, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution.

Senior RF Test & PCB Design Engineer

Prodapt

San Jose, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

Overview
Prodapt ASIC Services (formerly Innovative Logic) provides end-to-end SoC/ASIC, FPGA, and embedded software solutions. Their design services cover the complete lifecycle from RTL to GDSII, covering domains like 3nm node physical design, UVM verification, DFT, and silicon bring-up for 5G, AI, and IoT.
We are looking for Senior RF Test & PCB Design Engineer in San Jose, CA and its a 5 days onsite position.
Responsibilities
  • PCB Development: Lead the schematic entry, component selection, and layout routing optimization for complex RF evaluation boards using Cadence Allegro.
  • Simulation & Analysis: Perform Signal Integrity (SI) and Power Integrity (PI) simulations. Utilize Ansys HFSS for EM modeling and impedance matching to ensure optimal RF performance.
  • Hardware Bring-up: Own the board bring-up process, including debugging hardware issues and validating performance against design specifications.
  • RF Characterization: Utilize lab equipment (VNAs, Spectrum Analyzers, Signal Generators) to perform various RF measurements and verify simulation-to-measurement correlations. Implement Machine Learning (ML) techniques to analyze large datasets and identify performance trends or anomalies.
  • Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with RFIC Design and System Engineering teams to define board requirements and provide feedback on chip-level performance.
  • Documentation & Data Analysis: Maintain detailed design documentations and test reports for internal and external stakeholders. Collect, review and analyze test data. Requirements

MUST HAVES:
  • Extensive actual PCB and layout design experience (not just as a reviewer) using Cadence Allegro/OrCAD tool. High speed or mmWave experience preferred.
  • Materials Knowledge: Deep understanding of PCB stack-ups, dielectric materials (e.g., Rogers, Megtron), and manufacturing constraints for high-frequency PCB designs.
  • Expertise in SI/PI and EM simulations.

Requirements
  • Education: BS or MS in Electrical Engineering or a related technical field.
  • Experience: 5+ years of hands-on experience in RF PCB design and hardware development.
  • Tools: Expert-level proficiency in Cadence Allegro/OrCAD and Ansys HFSS (or equivalent EM simulation tools).
  • RF Fundamentals: Strong knowledge of RF theory, including S-parameters, transmission line theory, matching networks, and de-embedding techniques.
  • Lab Expertise: Extensive experience with RF test equipment (VNAs, Spectrum Analyzers, Oscilloscopes) and high-speed probing techniques.
  • Materials Knowledge: Deep understanding of PCB stack-ups, dielectric materials (e.g., Rogers, Megtron), and manufacturing constraints for high-frequency PCB designs. Desirable Skills (Nice to Have)
  • Automation: Proficiency in Python or C# for developing automated test suites to increase characterization throughput.
  • Data Science for RF: Experience applying AI/ML models for predictive maintenance of test setups or for signal classification.
  • Wafer-Level Testing: Experience with manual or semi-automated RF probe stations for on-wafer die characterization.

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